The Stories for All Project™

At First Book Canada, we want to see all kids become strong readers, the critical step to succeeding in school and in life. But all too often the children we work with don’t have books with characters and stories that are relevant to their lives. And that makes it harder to turn them on to reading.

A market-driven solution to increase diverse voices in children’s books.

In a survey of the educators First Book Canada serves, 90 percent of respondents agreed that the children in their programs would be more enthusiastic readers if they had access to books with characters, stories and images that reflect their lives and their neighborhoods.

Through the Stories for All Project™, First Book Canada is:

Connecting with educators and program leaders serving underrepresented populations to better understand and meet their needs;

Making the best books representing diverse characters, voices and life circumstances available and affordable to the children who need these resources the most;

Demonstrating to the publishing industry that there is a viable market for diverse books; and

Promoting understanding and empathy through stories that can help children see and celebrate their similarities and differences.

Making News

The Stories For All Project™ has been highlighted in Kirkus Reviews, the New York Times, NPR, the Huffington Post and a variety of other media outlets.

Kirkus Reviews

That’s why First Book’s commitment is so colossal: It is positive indication that publishing books about children of color can make a difference to the bottom line. First Book’s selection of providers...

A month ago a nonprofit called First Book, which promotes literacy among children in low-income communities, announced the Stories for All project, a program intended to prod publishers to print more ...

First Book Canada strives to provide all kids with diverse books that act as mirrors and windows. Kids feel valued and validated when they see their own experiences reflected on the pages of books, and they develop curiosity and empathy when they read about experiences different from their own. To help your kids grow as both readers and global citizens, shop our ever-expanding selection of diverse books.

First Book Canada believes a child’s education is their way out of poverty. We work with educators and partners to identify and remove the barriers to learning and resources, creating equal access to quality education and transforming the lives of kids in need.